Underworld - Born Slippy (Nuxx) ( www.youtube.com )

Lots of 1990s acts helped popularize techno, but in Karl Hyde Underworld had something that was the exclusive province of rock bands: a totally full-of-it frontman who sounded cool. It says something that "Born Slippy .NUXX" is actually one of Hyde's more intelligible lyrics. He says "Boy" so many times that the song's glorious first two minutes sound like an address, and sounding like anything represented several steps forward in coherence for Hyde.

Therein lies the appeal of Underworld: rock'n'roll posturing, real techno flavor. Hyde helped the trio Trojan Horse a 10-minute trance epic into mainstream consciousness. The song made no concessions to secure its fame; it is meaty and tough and blaring. Originally a B-side, "Born Slippy .NUXX" needed Trainspotting's publicity, probably, but not its association: the song smells enough of stale excess and self-imposed dementia on its own. Like its likely inspirations, "Born Slippy" is ugly and fun and awfully tough to stop. (Sidenote: coolest song title on this list, easy.) --Andrew Gaerig